With more children exposed to the world of dance than ever before, many are vying for the opportunity to emulate their favorite dancers on a stage of their own. As a parent, you’re probably wondering at what age your little one can begin taking the next steps towards their dance education. While there is no right answer to the question, “When can kids start dance classes?” this blog contains some helpful tips that can help you determine when it’s the right time to enroll your tiny dancer in their first lessons.
What’s the Best Age to Enroll Your Child in Dance Class?
The short answer — there really isn’t a “best age” to start dancing. However, some research indicates that the best time to start taking lessons for professional or competition-level development is between 7 – 9 years old. This is because most children in this age group are able to retain larger, more complex amounts of information that allow them to build the foundation necessary for mastering dance routines.
While this might be true, that isn’t to say that dancers can’t begin taking lessons either earlier or later on in their life. Dance classes offer an excellent way to build coordination, fitness, and musicality in a fun, creative environment no matter what age your dancer might be.
How Early Can Kids Start Taking Dance Lessons?
Children as young as 2-years-old (and even younger) can experience great success in a studio setting. It all depends on the experience of the staff and the type of dance studio you’ve selected. While having an experienced dance instructor that’s familiar with teaching toddlers is important, it’s equally important to understand where your child is at in their developmental journey. Dance classes are best-suited for children who:
- Are fully potty-trained
- Feel comfortable meeting others
- Are ready for new adventures away from parents
Benefits of Beginning Dance Classes Early in Life
The younger your dancer begins their education, the more benefits they stand to gain. Here are some of the reasons why it’s better to get started with dance classes early on in life:
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- Physical & Cognitive Development: Dance is a great way to help your toddler strengthen their muscular and cardiovascular endurance. Not only that, but learning how to dance gives young children the building blocks they need for future learning experiences.
- Social Skill Development: The dance studio is a great place for young children to meet others and develop life-long social skills. Learning these skills at a younger age is much earlier than developing social skills later on in life.
- Self-Esteem & Confidence: Children who take dance classes often report a stronger sense of confidence and self-esteem. This is because dance helps young people become more comfortable in their own skin by exploring the limitations of their bodies and offering a form of creative expression.
- Educational Development: Those that start dance classes early have a greater chance at furthering their dance education to enter a professional career. With hard work and dedication, your young dancer will be well on their way to dance competitions, performance companies, and scholarships galore.
Is It Too Late for Your Child to Start Dance Classes?
Here at QC Dance Studio, we firmly believe that it’s never too late to begin your dance education. No age is too old to begin learning how to dance. While it might be true that the chances of getting into a prestigious dance academy or joining a company are better with years of training, all that’s needed to take classes is a love of music.
Our dance studio accepts students at any age or skill level, offering a complimentary first dance class to all who wish to join us. Register your child for their first, free dance lesson online today!
